Nutrition Facts Fruit and Vegetables Corn Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits By Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 11, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDE, CPT Medically reviewed by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDE, CPT Facebook Twitter Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDE, CPT is a New York City-based telehealth registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Allergies Adverse Effects Varieties When It's Best Storage and Food Safety How to Prepare Corn is a staple in cuisines all around the world. In the United States, nothing says summertime quite like corn on the cob. While plenty of people enjoy corn, many don't realize that it's actually a very nutritious option. Corn provides thiamin and other vitamins and minerals. This budget-friendly and easy-to-find grain is also a good source of carbohydrates and is higher in protein than you might expect. Corn Nutrition Facts One medium-sized ear of corn (6 3/4" to 7 1/2" long) provides 88 calories, 1.4g of fat, 19g of carbohydrates, and 3.3g of protein. Corn is a good source of thiamin and also provides vitamin C, E, and A, some fiber, and potassium. This nutrition information is provided by the USDA. Calories: 88Fat: 1.4gSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugars: 6.4gProtein: 3.3gThiamin: 0.16mgVitamin C: 6.9mgPotassium: 275mg Carbs There are 19 grams of carbohydrate in one ear of corn. Of those carbohydrates, fiber makes up 2 grams and natural sugars make up 6.4 grams. Corn is considered moderate on the glycemic index scale with a rating that falls between 56 and 69. Fats Corn is naturally low in fat, with 1.4 grams per medium-sized ear. The majority of fat in corn is from heart-healthy monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. Protein Corn has just over 3 grams of protein per ear. Compared to most vegetables, corn is higher in protein. That's because corn is technically not a vegetable at all, but rather a whole grain. Vitamins and Minerals Corn is a good source of thiamin, providing 13% of the daily value (DV) or 0.16mg. Corn also contains the nutrients potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium. It also provides folate, vitamins C and E, and vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. Calories One medium ear of corn provides about 88 calories when consumed with no toppings. Of course, adding butter will also add calories and other nutrients, such as fat. One cup of corn (off the cob) provides about 125 calories. Summary Corn is a naturally low-fat food that provides about 88 calories per ear. Most of the calories come from carbohydrates, but corn also provides about 3.3 grams of protein. Corn also provides some fiber and is a good source of thiamin. Health Benefits Corn offers several health benefits beyond its vitamin and mineral content. Depending on the color, corn is rich in a variety of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds that protect against disease. Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Polyphenols are beneficial plant compounds that are found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Purple corn owes its color to a type of polyphenol, called anthocyanin, which has been shown to improve the regulation of insulin and glucose. Including a variety of colorful, plant-based foods in your meal plan, like purple corn, is a proactive way to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes and want to incorporate purple corn into your diet, consider the carbohydrate count. May Help Prevent Colon Cancer Corn is a good source of fiber that promotes the growth of "good bacteria" in the gut. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids to help prevent colon cancer. Eating fresh corn, popcorn, and other whole-grain corn products will ensure that you get the most fiber out of your corn consumption. Supports Healthy Weight Management The most filling snacks are those that are high in protein and fiber, like popcorn. One cup of air-popped and unbuttered popcorn provides 31 calories, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of fiber. Popcorn is a whole grain snack that's minimally processed, especially when you make it fresh. Since snacks make up about a third of most people's daily intake, choosing snack foods wisely can have a big impact on body weight. Protects Eyesight Corn contains lutein and zeaxanthin, the forms of vitamin A that are especially beneficial for eye health. Because these compounds become concentrated in the retina, they are associated with the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. The combination of lutein and zeaxanthin, along with vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, and zinc (which are also all found in corn), has been shown to protect against this common cause of vision loss. Promotes Heart Health Corn provides several nutrients that offer proven cardiovascular benefits. The fiber in corn and other whole grains helps reduce cholesterol levels. Potassium is well-known to keep blood pressure levels down, and corn contains about 6% of the daily value set by FDA. Potassium is a "nutrient of public health concern" because not everyone is consuming adequate amounts of it daily. Corn also has a decent amount of magnesium, about 9% to 12% of adult needs. Consuming adequate amounts of magnesium in the diet appears to reduce the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease. Eating fresh corn, popcorn, or even canned corn (without added salt) can help protect your heart from long-term damage. Allergies Food allergies to corn and environmental allergies to corn pollen are possible. Corn allergies are difficult to diagnose, but an elimination diet is often used to determine whether symptoms improve when corn is no longer consumed. Corn allergies are typically triggered by corn protein, so protein-free corn products like high-fructose corn syrup don't necessarily need to be avoided because of an allergy. Symptoms of corn allergies may include hives, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and a weak pulse. If you suspect an allergy to corn, see an allergist for a professional evaluation. Adverse Effects Corn is one of the most genetically modified plants in the food supply. Genetically modified crops have altered DNA for a variety of traits, such as resisting herbicide or increasing yield. One percent of the corn grown in the U.S. is sweet corn and most of it is not genetically modified. Sweet corn can be found in frozen form, canned, or fresh. Genetically modified corn isn't used for human consumption, but for livestock feed, fuel for cars, and oil used to make sunscreen and water bottles. High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn syrup. It's made from extracting corn kernels and treating them with an enzyme to make a thick, viscous syrup. Although considered as safe as other sweeteners by the FDA, high fructose corn syrup is prevalent in processed foods and associated with increased risk of diabetes and other health conditions. Just as with other added sweeteners, it's best to limit your intake of high fructose corn syrup. Varieties There are four basic types of corn: dent corn, flint corn, popcorn, and sweet corn. Dent corn is also known as field corn. It's used for livestock feed and in food products. Flint corn is similar to dent corn but it comes in a variety of colors. It is considered an ornamental corn and is commonly displayed for decoration. Popcorn has a tough outer shell and soft, starchy center that steams and explodes when heated. Sweet corn is higher in starch and sugar. It's picked while still immature and tender. Sweet corn comes in white, yellow, or a combination of kernel colors. When you buy corn on the cob, it's sweet corn. When It's Best Fresh corn is in season during the summer months, from July through September. Choose corn that has firm, plump kernels. Skip any cobs with signs of mold, insects, or decay. You can find fresh corn in the stalks or already shucked. Corn products, including canned and frozen corn, are available during any time of the year. Canned corn often comes in a cream sauce, or with added sugar or salt. Check the ingredients label to see what's in the product you're buying. Corn-based products like popcorn, cornmeal, corn starch, corn flour, corn grits, and porridge are available in grocery stores throughout the year. Storage and Food Safety Sweet corn is best eaten shortly after it's picked. The longer it sits, the less sweet it tastes. You can store corn in the refrigerator with the husks on or off. Raw corn that's been removed from the husk should be used within one or two days. Keep cooked corn in the refrigerator for up to five days. Corn can also be frozen or canned at home. Use dry or preserved corn products by the dates specified on the product label. How to Prepare Corn is usually cooked, but raw corn is edible too. Simply cut the kernels off the cob and add it to salads or other favorite dishes for a sweet crunch. Shucked corn (meaning the skins and husks have been removed) can be grilled, boiled, microwaved, or steamed. If you prefer, leave the husks on for roasting or grilling and remove before eating. Corn is naturally sweet and doesn't need very much added flavoring to taste good. Keep corn recipes to simple to enjoy the natural flavor and nutrition that this whole grain has to offer. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 18 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Corn, sweet, yellow, raw. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 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